¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Busby Berkeley!

AKA William Berkeley Enos.

Born November 29, 1895. Died March 14, 1976.

He was a much-mocked and much-parodied cinematographer-turned-director who nevertheless had an enormous impact on American movie musicals. Here's hoping that today's musicals will someday be as well-remembered as Berkeley's best work is today.

R.I.P. Geoffrey Holder

Trinidad-born Geoffrey Holder -- a man who seemed equally famous for his acting, dancing, choreography and painting as well as for his famous voice -- uttered his last syllable on October 6 at age 84.

He will be missed.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Rosie Perez!

AKA Rosa María Perez.

Born September 6, 1964.

She is a famous Puerto Rican actress who started out working with director Spike Lee and went on to become a director in her own right. She recently had her autobiography Handbook for an Unpredictable Life: How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling... published and she has been nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in the 1993 film Fearless. She is most famous for her roles in Do the Right Thing and White Men Can't Jump as well as for her choreography on the TV show In Living Color. As you might guess, she is one of my favorite actresses even though her work rarely appears on screen as often as I would like.